France is considered the world's top travel destination. Nearly 84 million people flock there each year to visit popular tourist destinations like the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, the battlefields of Normandy, and the turquoise waters of the French Riviera. But there's so much more to see — especially in the South of France!

The South of France offers everything a visitor could want, from snow capped mountains to sweeping fields of sunflowers and lavender to pastures full of black bulls, white horses, and pink flamingos — things travelers to France dream about.

To sample a slice of the "real" France, plan a side trip to some of the quaint villages, seaside ports, and fishing towns dotting southern France. Explore theLanguedoc-Roussillon andProvence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur regions — home to canals lined with colorfully painted houses, "perched villages" located high on rocky crags, medieval castles with turrets and tiled towers, vineyards and wineries, antique shops, crystal clear rivers, and the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea.

Veer off the tourist track. Take a side trip from the ordinary. Go, stay, eat, and explore some of our favorite places. And be sure to enjoy the journey!